Donald P. Dick Air Conditioning Blog: Archive for May, 2012

7 Facts About Mold That Every Homeowner Should Know

Thursday, May 31st, 2012

mold fresno californiaToxic mold poses serious risks to both your health and the structural integrity of your home. As a homeowner, it’s important that you know the facts about mold so you can prevent it from developing, or deal with it safely and effectively if spores have already gained a foothold. With that in mind, here are seven key facts about mold:

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R22 Refrigerant Prices Rise As Phase Out Date Nears

Tuesday, May 29th, 2012

The next time you have to add refrigerant to your old air conditioner, you may be a bit surprised by the R22 refrigerant prices.

And it’s not a pleasant surprise. Since late 2011, R22 refrigerant prices have increased by about 300 percent. And it seems a fairly safe bet that R22 prices will continue to rise in the coming years.

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Annual A/C Service Is Essential To Home Comfort And Energy Efficiency

Thursday, May 24th, 2012

Annual A/C Service Is Essential To Home Comfort And Energy EfficiencySummer will soon be upon us, and the last thing you want to happen during the upcoming hot months is for your air conditioning system to break down. This is why it’s so important to schedule an annual A/C service before things start sizzling in the San Joaquin Valley.

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Filter Maintenance Becomes Even More Important As The Cooling Season Peaks

Tuesday, May 22nd, 2012

The weather is getting warmer every day in the Fresno area, and with higher temperatures you can expect higher energy bills. One of the best ways to keep cooling costs under control is through regular HVAC filter maintenance. 

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Energy Evaluations — What You Can Do Yourself, And What A Pro Can Do

Thursday, May 17th, 2012

Energy Evaluations -- What You Can Do Yourself, And What A Pro Can DoAn energy evaluation is a useful way to learn how much energy your home is consuming and how you can reduce this amount to save money every month. Many people are taking advantage of do-it-yourself energy evaluations while others continue to turn to the pros for a more advanced evaluation. Here’s a look at the tasks you can complete yourself along with the aspects of a professional assessment that require high-tech equipment and know-how to complete.

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How Would UV Lights Benefit Your Household Air?

Tuesday, May 15th, 2012

Ultraviolet (UV) light is most famous for causing suntans (or sunburns). But there is another, much healthier use for UV light that has been getting more and more attention. 

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Don’t Waste Energy Dollars — Seal Your Home’s Envelope ASAP

Thursday, May 10th, 2012

Don't Waste Energy Dollars -- Seal Your Home's Envelope ASAPWith energy prices staying high, some simple tactics can help you control the cost of cooling and heating your San Joaquin Valley home. Taking some time before extreme temperatures hit can help reduce costs by not allowing warm air to enter your home’s exterior shell (or escape in the winter). 

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Want Top-Notch Home Comfort All Year Round? HVAC Service Agreements Are The Answer

Tuesday, May 8th, 2012

More work is involved in home HVAC maintenance than you may realize. By signing up for an HVAC service agreement, you’ll help ensure top-notch home comfort all year round. Here’s a look at what you can expect from a preventative maintenance check-up, which should take place in the spring for your cooling equipment and in the fall for your heating equipment:

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Don’t Ignore Mold In The Attic, Address It With Proper Ventilation

Thursday, May 3rd, 2012

Don't Ignore Mold In The Attic, Address It With Proper VentilationIt’s easy to ignore mold when it’s growing where you can’t see it. Mold in the attic may not seem like a big deal, but mold growth results from excessive moisture in the attic, which also can be highly damaging to structural elements and fixtures. Water intrusion may lead to rotted wood, bubbled paint on the home’s exterior, warped shingles, and ruined insulation in addition to mold growth. The best way to prevent these issues is to seal leaks in the attic while improving attic ventilation.

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Tired Of High Energy Costs? Try Boosting Your Insulation

Tuesday, May 1st, 2012

High energy costs take a huge bite out of most homeowners’ budgets. There are many things you can do to reduce your energy bills, such as purchasing energy-efficient appliances or switching to low-watt bulbs. When it comes to heating and cooling, the most effective way to cut your bills is to ensure you home has the right amount and type of insulation. This requires inspecting your home to determine how much insulation you have. Since Fresno and the surrounding area have average lows in the 30s and average highs in the 90s, your insulation should be designed for these extremes. 

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